Steve Hilton
Steve, you are well known as an artist, teaching, travelling a lot…
… I`m not sure how well known I am, but I sure love teaching, making art
and traveling.
You are a professor, have studied art, ceramics and education: how did you get your start in ceramics?
My original degree was in Environmental Geology. I was a predominately an oceanography, astronomy, and environmental science teacher for more than 15 years before I discovered clay. I also taught math, science, history, English and sailing on a 140-foot sailboat in addition to managing a scuba diving business on the island of Vava’u in Tonga, and taught snowboarding for two seasons in Salt Lake City, UT. However, in addition to these amazing experiences, I also had a few less glamorous “lives”: I painted houses, sold vacuum cleaners door to door and loaded trucks for UPS.
I mention all these experiences because the result is what made me realize that when one says yes, more than no, one never knows where that might take them.
Now to the question – It was during my time teaching at a high school that my best friend, who happened to be the ceramics teacher, asked me if I wanted to try my hand at making pottery.
Initially, I hesitated and said no a few times, but he knew just how to convince me. “Steve”, he said, “you’re a cheapskate. If you make pots, you’ll never have to buy another Christmas gift.”
(Monika Gass)